Special restaurant licence application

What this application does

A special restaurant licence in Ireland allows a restaurant to sell all types of alcohol for consumption on the premises with a substantial meal. However it does not permit a bar or the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.

This licence allows the holder to sell alcohol for one additional hour after those permitted by a standard licence, but only from 12:30pm onwards.

The court will assess the applicant's character and the suitability of the premises. The licence also requires specific standards for dining area appointments and the number of toilets.

How much this application costs

There is a fee of €330 per application.

Please be aware this fee is for the court application only. Revenue have a separate fee for taking out the licence.

How to apply

1. Complete your application

If you are a legal practitioner and have an account in CSOL, you can complete the application in CSOL. Alternatively, you can complete an application manually which is usually drafted by legal counsel.

2. Serve the notice parties

You must notify or serve the relevant notice parties for your application. If the application is submitted in CSOL, the notice parties are automatically notified. Alternatively, you can serve the notice manually. Please see our serving and proof of service page for more information.

For this application, the notice parties are:

• An Garda Síochána must be notified at least twenty one days prior to the court date.
• The District Court clerk must be notified at least twenty one days prior to the court date.
• The District Court judge where the premises is situated must be notified at least twenty one days prior to the court date.
• The Combined Court Office Manager must be notified at least twenty one days prior to the court date.
• The public must be notified through local newspaper advertisement at least twenty one days prior to the court date.
• The Fire Officer must be notified at least twenty eight days prior to the court date.
• The HSE must be notified at least one month prior to the court date.

3. Submit your application

You can submit your application through CSOL or manually at the court office. The application must be lodged at least twenty one days prior to the court date.

4. Provide proofs to the court office

You must provide the required supporting documentation or "proofs" to the court office. This must be done manually as there is currently no option to upload the "proofs" listed below through CSOL.

What proofs are required

1. Original notice of application with relevant stamp duty.
2. Affidavit of service (only where application is manually served).
3. The full original newspaper showing advertisement outlined in red border.
4. Copy of detailed plans with the area to be licensed outlined in red which will be handed into court and executed and dated on the day of court.
5. You will be expected to call your engineer or architect into evidence on the day to certify compliance with planning and building regulations and fire safety certificate conditions.
6. Confirmation there is no objection from the Fire Officer.